Small Bites – Appetizers for life

Last week I challenged myself and you to intentionally practice good heart and soul nutrition. When I shared my plan with my daughter, she looked at me incredulously and said, “Well, that may work for you, but I seriously don’t have time for anything. I’m barely keeping my head above water.” She is a full time teacher, mother of an active one year old and wife to a firefighter who has strange shift hours. I’m sure there are many of you out there who have the same or similar lives – full to the brim. Your life may feel like a constant sideshow of juggling plates. How do you find balance between responsibilities and refreshment? How do you get rid of some plates without sending them crashing to the floor?

First, don’t be too hard on yourself. You know you’re doing the best you can. But in the honorable attempt of striving for the good, we often miss the best. Like filling up on good appetizers before the meal is served. Stay with me here….sometimes the appetizers can BE the meal. When we were traveling in Spain last summer, we discovered pinchos (something like tapas) and made our evening meal by cruising around from pinchos bar to pinchos bar sampling all the goodness in small bites.

Perhaps that works best for you if you’re like my daughter. Sometimes a big meal can not only be overwhelming to plan but have burdensome calories to shed later. So take small bites throughout your day.

Love on your loved ones: Start with at least 5 full minutes of uninterrupted, intentional hugs, kisses, smiles, laughs (not to be combined with any other duties) and continue as needed throughout the day. This can absolutely MAKE a kid’s day like nothing else!

Take a break: Even if it’s just a minute to stop work to close your eyes and BREATHE.

Delegate: No one person can do it all. Ask for help and be ready to receive it graciously. (Keep your lips buttoned if it’s not perfect.)

Take a Sabbath: A full day of R & R. Unless you work 24/7, you CAN do this.

Take a walk: Or ride, hike, jog….whatever gets you outdoors for a few minutes.

Be quiet: Avoid always turning on music or talking on the phone (blah!) when you’re alone in the car. If you have kids in the car, have a conversation with them. Or just listen to their conversation. Hysterical!

Write one good thing: Write down one good thing a day that you’re grateful for. Keep it short and post it where your family can see it.

This is only a sample of a LONG menu. But every one of these suggestions has one thing in common: FOCUS. You must only take one bite at a time and savor it. Otherwise, it’s like stuffing your mouth with salmon dill appetizers mixed with garlic bruschetta toasts and fruit kabobs. At best, the tastes compete with one another and at worst, they are just downright nasty. Either way, you can’t relish the full flavor unless you concentrate on one thing at a time, giving it your full attention and appreciation. So, contrary to the American Way…no multi-tasking allowed. It just won’t work and will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

Good food is worth the planning and preparation and deserves to be eaten slowly. Savor every small bite. Bon appetit!

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Everything I wanted to know about a richer life I learned while living on the Mediterranean island of Crete, Greece. Now my faith is deeper, my friends and family are dearer and my food is fresher. Even my travels are better because I've learned that the journey is usually more memorable than the destination.
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